Melanie in Chinese
Melanie in Chinese is 梅兰妮 (Méi Lán Nī).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- dark, dusky
The name traces back to Greek sources, where it is usually explained as "dark, dusky". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1886 and peaked in 1972.
3 ways to write Melanie
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
梅兰妮
Méi Lán Nī
The standard transliteration of Melanie: 梅 (méi, "plum blossom"), 兰 (lán, "orchid"), 妮 (nī, "girl, lass (affectionate)"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 梅 (méi) carries "me", 兰 (lán) carries "la", 妮 (nī) carries "nie". The tone contour is 2-2-1 (rising, rising, high level).
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
- 兰
lán
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
orchid
- 妮
nī
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
girl, lass (affectionate)
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
思颖
Sī Yǐng
Inspired by "dark, dusky": 思 (sī, "to think; longing") + 颖 (yǐng, "clever; outstanding"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Melanie's meaning ("dark, dusky") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 思 (to think; longing) and 颖 (clever; outstanding) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 思
sī
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
to think; longing
- 颖
yǐng
Tone 3 · 13 strokes (simplified)
clever; outstanding
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
梅婉
Méi Wǎn
梅 (méi, "plum blossom") + 婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 梅 (méi), the same opening character as the transliteration 梅兰妮, for the "me" sound, and replaces the rest with 婉 ("gentle, graceful") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
- 婉
wǎn
Tone 3 · 11 strokes (simplified)
gentle, graceful
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Melanie
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Melanie ranked 127 among names recorded for girls, with 13,337 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 243,792 girls named Melanie since 1886, with the high point in 1972 (6,295 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #86 to #90 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1972
- Peak decade
- 1970s
- First year
- 1886
- Total since 1880
- 243,792
More About Melanie in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Melanie offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Melanie, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Lisa in Chinese, Shannon in Chinese, and Jenna in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Evelyn in Chinese, Katelyn in Chinese, and Caroline in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Melanie, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Melanie to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Melanie translated into Chinese?
梅兰妮 (Méi Lán Nī), or 梅蘭妮 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Melanie written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 梅兰妮 becomes 梅蘭妮; the changed characters are 兰→蘭. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
How popular is the name Melanie?
US Social Security records show 243,792 girls named Melanie since 1886, with the high point in 1972 (6,295 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #86 to #90 among girls.